Grays, Essex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grays |
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 Grays skyline as seen from Broadness Marsh. |
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 Grays
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| Population | 44,341 (2021) |
| OS grid reference | TQ615773 |
| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Grays |
| Postcode district | RM16-RM17, RM20 |
| Dialling code | 01375 |
| Police | Essex |
| Fire | Essex |
| Ambulance | East of England |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
| UK Parliament |
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Grays (also known as Grays Thurrock) is the biggest town in the Thurrock area of Essex, England. It sits on the north bank of the River Thames.
The town is about 20 miles (32 km) east of central London and 2 miles (3 km) east of the M25 motorway. Grays' economy is connected to the Port of London industries, local offices, shops, and the big Lakeside Shopping Centre in West Thurrock.
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History of Grays
Scientists have found signs that people have lived in the Grays area since the very old Stone Age, called the Palaeolithic period.
In 1665, a famous writer named Samuel Pepys wrote in his diary that he visited Grays. He even bought fish from the local fishermen! Parts of Grays and Chafford Hundred are built inside three old chalk pits. These are like big holes dug out of the ground. The two largest are called Lion Gorge and Warren Gorge.
The Thurrock Town Hall in Grays was built in the 1980s. It's where the local council makes decisions for the area.
What Grays Means
The name "Grays Thurrock" has two parts. "Thurrock" is an old Saxon word that means "the bottom of a ship." The "Grays" part comes from Henry de Grey, a knight from a long time ago. He was given the land of Grays in 1195 by Richard I, who was King of England.
Geography of Grays
Grays includes several areas like Grays Riverside, Grays Thurrock, and Stifford Clays. Parts of Chafford Hundred are also in Grays.
Some nearby places are:
- Aveley
- Brentwood
- Chadwell St Mary
- Chafford Hundred
- East Tilbury
- North Stifford
- Orsett
- Orsett Heath
- Purfleet-on-Thames
- South Ockendon
- South Stifford
- Tilbury
- West Thurrock
- Basildon
Landmarks in Grays
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Thameside Theatre
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Grays Beach with the Tilbury Docks in the background
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The Dell
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Thurrock Yacht Club
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The State Cinema
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Beginning of the Derby Road Bridge
Grays has many interesting places to visit. These include the Thameside Theatre, the Thurrock History Museum, Grays Beach, and the old State Cinema.
The Dell was one of the first houses in Britain to be built using concrete. It was built for Alfred Russel Wallace, a famous scientist who lived in Grays from 1872 to 1876.
From the top of the Derby Road Bridge, you can see the Thurrock Yacht Club, the children's playground at Grays Beach, and the River Thames. Grays Beach is also home to The Gull, an old lightship built in 1860. It has been on the shore for many years and is now quite old and worn. Its light has been moved and is now on display at the yacht club.
The Thameside Theatre opened in 1971 and is the only theatre in Thurrock. In 2021, there were plans to close it, but many people wanted to save it. Famous comedian Russell Brand, who grew up in Grays, even offered to perform there to help. Thanks to community efforts, the theatre is now expected to stay open under new management.
Education in Grays
Grays has many schools for different age groups.
Primary Schools
Primary schools in Grays include:
- Quarry Hill Academy
- West Thurrock Academy
- Belmont Castle Academy
- Woodside Academy
- Warren Primary School
- Thameside Primary School
- Deneholm Primary School
- St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School
- Gateway Primary Free School
Some schools, like Quarry Hill Academy and Thameside Primary School, were formed by joining smaller schools. They have since received good ratings from Ofsted, which checks how well schools are doing. Belmont Castle Academy was named after an old castle that used to be on the school's land. Gateway Primary Free School is a "free school," meaning it's funded by the government but run independently.
Secondary Schools
Secondary schools in Grays include:
- Hathaway Academy
- Gateway Academy
- Grays Convent High School
- William Edwards School
- Thames Park Secondary School
- Orsett Heath Academy
Since 2007, all these schools have become "specialist schools." This means they focus on certain subjects. For example, Hathaway Academy and Gateway Academy are good at arts, digital media, and engineering. William Edwards School and Orsett Heath Academy are known for sports. Grays Convent High School focuses on languages, and Thames Park Secondary School specializes in artificial intelligence and digital technology.
Many famous people went to schools in Grays. Comedian Joe Pasquale and Olympic athlete Fatima Whitbread went to Torells School (which is now part of Gateway Academy). Footballers Chris Cohen and Max Porter went to William Edwards School. Actor and comedian Russell Brand attended the Grays School. Journalist Polly Billington and runner Jessica Judd went to Grays Convent High School.
Most of these schools are "academies" or "free schools," which are run independently. Grays Convent High School is a Catholic school for girls.
Further Education
After secondary school, students can go to college.
Thurrock Technical College opened in 1952. Over the years, it merged with other colleges and is now part of South Essex College. The Thurrock Campus of South Essex College moved to a new building in Grays town centre in 2014.
Another option is USP College Palmer's Campus. This college has a very long history, starting as a charity school in 1706 for "ten poor children." It grew into a boys' school and then a grammar school. In 1972, it became a sixth form college, which is where students go for their final two years of school before university. In 2017, Palmer's College joined with Seevic College to form USP College.
There is also Thurrock Adult Community College, which offers courses for adults in different locations around Thurrock.
Transport in Grays
Grays has good transport links. It is close to the A13 road and the M25 motorway, making it easy to travel by car. The A126 London Road connects Grays town centre to Lakeside Shopping Centre and other nearby towns.
Grays railway station is in the middle of town. You can catch trains to London Fenchurch Street in the west and Shoeburyness in the east. A trip to London usually takes about 35 minutes.
Grays bus station is right outside the railway station. It's a main hub for most bus services in Thurrock, operated by companies like Ensignbus and First Essex.
Media in Grays
For television, Grays receives signals from Crystal Palace, which provides BBC London and ITV London. You can also get signals from Bluebell Hill for BBC South East and ITV Meridian.
Local radio stations include BBC Essex, Heart Essex, Radio Essex, Gateway 97.8, and Thames Delta Radio.
The Thurrock Gazette is the town's local newspaper, published every week.
Sports in Grays
The local football team is Grays Athletic. They used to be based in Grays but now play in nearby Aveley. They play in non-League football and have won the FA Trophy twice, which is a big achievement for teams outside the top leagues.
Notable People from Grays
Many interesting people have come from Grays!
Actors and Authors
- Ian Abercrombie, an actor and comedian.
- Joe Pasquale, a comedian, actor, and TV presenter.
- Michelle Harrison, an author.
- Phil Davis, an actor, author, director, and narrator.
- Russell Brand, a comedian and presenter.
Athletes
- Adam Newton, a retired footballer.
- Charlie Whitchurch, a retired footballer.
- Chris Cohen, a retired footballer and coach.
- Elton Prince, a professional wrestler.
- Fatima Whitbread, a retired Olympic medallist in javelin throwing.
- Jessica Judd, a runner.
- Max Porter, a retired footballer and coach.
- Stuart Barnes, a retired rugby union player and commentator.
- William Kennedy, a retired footballer and soldier.
Politicians and Important Figures
- Frederick Marshall, an Australian politician.
- Polly Billington, a politician and journalist.
- Sir Henry de Grey, a courtier (an attendant at a royal court) for John, King of England.
- Sir John de Grey, a soldier and high sheriff (a local official).
Singers
- Louisa Johnson, a singer who won series 12 of The X Factor.
- Sara Flower, a contralto singer (a type of female singing voice).
Other Notable People
- Alfred Russel Wallace, a scientist who helped discover evolution through natural selection.
- Elisabeth Vellacott, a painter.
- Philip Vellacott, a scholar.
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